Liquid filter arrangements and methods

ABSTRACT

A filter element includes filter media, first and second end caps, a latch arrangement projecting from the first end cap, a tubular neck extending from the first end cap and a valve head oriented within the first end cap aperture constructed and arranged to move between a position sealing the first end cap aperture and exposing the first end cap aperture. A filter assembly includes a filter element, as characterized herein, and including a filter base and a service cover. A method of servicing includes removing an old filter element, operably mounting a new filter element in a filter base including engaging a valve head against a spring member in the filter base, and operably mounting the service cover over the new filter element and filter base.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 12/137,934filed Jun. 12, 2008; application Ser. No. 12/137,934 claims priorityunder 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to provisional patent application 60/943,962,filed Jun. 14, 2007. Application Ser. Nos. 12/137,934 and 60/943,962 areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application describes filter arrangements. In particular, thisapplication describes a filter cartridge usable in a filter bowl forpurifying liquids, such as oil for engines.

BACKGROUND

Filters are commonly used in connection with lubrication systems andfuel systems for internal combustion engines, and hydraulic systems forheavy-duty equipment. Filters are often used in many other types ofliquid systems. In these types of systems, the filter is changedperiodically. In the art, there are at least two standard types offilters used. One type is a spin-on canister filter, while the other isa bowl-cartridge filter. This application addresses bowl-cartridgefilters.

Bowl-cartridge filters typically include a reusable bowl (or servicecover) holding a replaceable filter element (cartridge filter).Bowl-cartridge filters are mounted onto a filter head or filter base,wherein liquid to be cleaned passes through the filter head (base), intothe bowl (service cover), through the replaceable cartridge filter,outside of the bowl (service cover), and back into the filter head(base). After a period of use, the bowl-cartridge filter is removed fromthe filter head (base), and the replaceable cartridge filter is removedfrom the reusable bowl (service cover). The old cartridge filter isdiscarded with a new cartridge filter. The new cartridge filter isoperably mounted into the reusable bowl (service cover) to provide arefurbished bowl-cartridge filter. This refurbished bowl-cartridgefilter containing the new cartridge filter is then mounted onto thefilter head (base).

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A filter element is provided including a tubular extension of pleatedfilter media, a first end cap, a second end cap, and a latch arrangementprojecting from the first end cap. The filter element also includes atubular neck extending from the first end cap circumscribing an aperturein the first end cap. The tubular neck is circumscribed by the latcharrangement. The filter element also includes a valve head orientedwithin the first end cap aperture and constructed and arranged to movebetween a position sealing the first end cap aperture and exposing thefirst end cap aperture.

In another aspect, a filter assembly is provided including a filterelement, as characterized above, and including a filter base and aservice cover. The filter element operably mounts within the filterbase, and the service cover operably and removably mounts over thefilter base and the filter element.

In another aspect, a method of servicing a filter arrangement includesremoving a service cover and a used filter element from a filter base;providing a new filter element having a first end cap with a tubularneck extending therefrom and circumscribing a first end cap aperture andalso including a valve head oriented within the first end cap aperture;operably mounting the new filter element in the filter base includingengaging the valve head against a spring member in the filter base; andoperably mounting the service cover over the new filter element andfilter base.

In another aspect, a method of filtering is provided. The methodincludes directing liquid to be filtered into a filter assembly thatincludes a filter assembly operably installed in a filter base and aservice cover, the filter element including a tubular extension offilter media, a first end cap having a tubular neck extending therefromand circumscribing a first end cap aperture, and a valve head orientedwithin the first end cap aperture; blocking the first end cap apertureby using a spring member in the filter base to urge the valve headagainst a rim of the tubular neck; and directing liquid filter throughthe media to filter the liquid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a filterassembly, including a service cover, a filter element, and a filterbase, constructed according to principles of this disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the filter assembly depicted in FIG.1, and showing the service cover mounted on the filter element but notmounted on the filter base;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the filter assembly of FIGS. 1 and2, depicting the filter assembly operably assembled in an operablecondition ready for filtering;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the filter element depicted inFIGS. 1-3; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the filter element depicted in FIGS.1-4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure describes embodiments of a filter element that areusable within a reusable service cover for mounting onto a filter base.The filter elements are usable in assemblies that can be used in a“top-load” orientation. By the term “top-load”, it is meant that thefilter assembly (filter base plus service cover within the filterelement operably installed therein) is installed in an orientation thatpermits servicing or access to the filter assembly from a position overor above whatever part that remains fixed to the equipment (for example,the engine, generator, or whatever is the applicable machine part) inoperational position during servicing, when the equipment is in normal,operable orientation. In many convenient top-load configurations, theperson servicing the filter assembly is not required to be in a positionunderneath or below the equipment. Instead, the person servicing thefilter assembly is able to access it from the top of the equipment. Forexample, in a vehicle having an engine that is selectively accessible bya movable hood, the filter assembly would be accessible merely byraising the hood of the vehicle and then removing the service cover.

One example of a filter assembly in a top-load configuration having aservice cover and a filter head is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,770,054,incorporated herein by reference.

In FIGS. 1-3, a filter assembly 6, constructed according to principlesof this disclosure is depicted. The assembly 6 includes a filter base 10and a service cover 12 removably mounted on the filter base 10.Extending through the center of the filter base 10 is a porous centertube 20 and holding a spring member 22. The spring member 22 includes aspring plunger 24 with a spring force engaging upon it by a biasingmember 26. The spring plunger 24 urges against a portion of a filterelement when a filter element is properly and operably mounted for usein the filter base 10, and the service cover 12 is arranged.

In reference now to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a filter element mounted inthe filter base 10 is illustrated generally at 30. In the embodimentshown, the element 30 includes a tubular extension of filter media 32defining an open filter interior 34 (FIG. 2). The open filter interior34 receives the center tube 20 therewithin. In the embodiment shown, thefilter media 32 is pleated filter media 36.

The pleated media 36 defines first and second opposite ends 38, 39 (FIG.4). In the embodiment shown, the filter element 30 further includes afirst end cap 41 secured to the first end 38 of the pleated media 36.Attention is directed to FIG. 5, which illustrates a cross-sectionalview of the embodiment of the filter element 30. In FIG. 5, the firstend cap 41 defines an open aperture 43. While many embodiments arecontemplated, in the particular embodiment shown, the first end cap 41is defined by an outer peripheral wall 44 generally orthogonal to aplanar region 46.

In the embodiment shown, the filter element 20 further includes a latcharrangement 50. In the embodiment shown, the latch arrangement 50projects from the first end cap 41 and functions to releasably securethe filter element 30 to the service cover 12 (FIG. 3). In theembodiment shown, the latch arrangement 50 includes at least twolatches, preferably four latches 52. Each of the latches 52 includes adeflectable latch finger 54 extending from the planar region 46 of thefirst end cap 41. In preferred embodiments, each latch finger 54 ismolded from the same piece of material as the rest of the first end cap41. Each of the latch fingers 54 includes a catch 56 at a free end ofeach latch finger 54.

As mentioned above, the latch arrangement 50 is usable to releasablysecure the filter element 30 to the service cover 12. In FIGS. 2 and 3,it can be seen how the service cover 12 has a ring 58 projecting from aninside surface 60 of the service cover 12. Each of the fingers 54deflects radially inwardly until each of the catches 56 snaps over thering 58. This engagement removably attaches the filter element 30 to theservice cover 12. In this manner, when the service cover 30 is removedfrom the base 10, the element 30 is removed with the service cover 12.

In reference again to FIG. 5, the filter element 30 further includes atubular neck 62 extending from the first end cap 41 and circumscribingthe first end cap aperture 43. As can be seen in FIG. 5, in thepreferred embodiment shown, the tubular neck 62 is circumscribed by thelatch arrangement 50. In the particular embodiment shown, the tubularneck 62 includes a cylindrical wall 64 and an axial end wall 66 forminga rim 68. The edge of the rim 68 defines the perimeter of the first endcap open aperture 43. In preferred arrangements, the tubular neck 62 ismade from a same molded piece of material as the rest of the first endcap 41 and preferably including the latch arrangement 50.

In the particular embodiment shown, the tubular neck 62 is shorter thanthe latch arrangement 50. The neck 62 is provided to hold a valve head70.

In reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the valve head 70 is oriented within thefirst end cap open aperture 43. The valve head 70 is constructed andarranged to move between a position closing (preferably sealing) thefirst end cap aperture 43 and exposing the first end cap aperture 41.While a variety of embodiments are usable, in the particular embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the valve head 70 includes an armarrangement 72 slidably held within the tubular neck 62. The armarrangement 72 engages against the rim 68 of the neck 62 and allows thevalve head 70 to linearly or axially slide relative to the rest of thefilter element 30 between the position closing the aperture 43 (FIG. 3)and exposing the aperture 43 (FIGS. 2 and 5).

Again, while a variety of implementations are possible, in theimplementation illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the arm arrangement 72includes a plurality (illustrated as 3) of arms 74, each arm 74 having ahook 76. In the embodiment shown, the hook 76 is at a free end of eacharm 74. The hooks 76 engage the rim 68 and prevent the valve head 70from becoming dislodged within the interior of the filter element 30.

Still in reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, in the specific embodimentillustrated, the valve head 70 defines a sealing surface 78 sized tooperably form a seal 80 (FIG. 3) with the first end cap aperture 43. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the valve head 70 also includes a plateauregion 82 circumscribed by the sealing surface 78. The specificembodiment illustrated shows that the plurality of arms 74 extend fromthe plateau region 82 in an axial direction.

Again, in reference to FIG. 5, the valve head 70 further includes aseating surface 84 at an end opposite of the sealing surface 78 andplateau region 82. The seating surface 84 is sized to be seated andmounted on the spring member 22 (FIGS. 2 and 3) in the filter base 10,when the filter element 30 is operably mounted in the base 10. In theembodiment shown, the seating surface 84 has an inwardly curved profilethat is shaped to receive and be mounted on the plunger 24 (FIGS. 2 and3).

In reference again to FIGS. 4 and 5, the filter element 30 furtherincludes a second end cap 88 secured to the second end 39. The secondend cap 88 defines a second end cap aperture 90, which is incommunication with the open filter interior 34. In the embodiment shown,the second end cap 88 includes an outer peripheral wall 92, generallyorthogonal to a planar region 94. A seal member 96 is secured within thesecond end cap aperture 90 and is oriented to form a seal 98 (FIG. 3)with the filter base 10, specifically, a non-porous part of the center20.

In preferred arrangements, the filter element 30 is primarilynon-metallic, for example, at least 99 percent non-metallic.

In operation, the filter assembly 6 is used by directing liquid to befiltered into the filter assembly 6. The first end cap aperture 43 isblocked by using the spring member 22 in the filter base 10 to urge thevalve head 70 against the rim 68 of the tubular neck 62. Liquid is thenallowed to flow through the filter media 32 into the open filterinterior 34. The filter media 32 helps to remove particulate materialfrom the liquid. The filtered liquid is then directed out of the filterassembly 10.

In operation, if restriction across the filter media 32 becomes highfrom filter occlusion, or in the condition of a cold-start, the liquidto be filtered will exert a force on the valve head 70 through theaperture 43 which is greater than the force exerted by the spring member22. This will cause the valve head 70, in particular the sealing surface78, to move away from the rim 68 of the neck 62. A gap will open andallow liquid to flow through the first end cap open aperture 43, pastthe valve head 70, and into the open filter interior 34.

During normal operation, the sealing surface 84 of the valve head 70will be in the condition shown in FIG. 3, pushed against the rim 68 andclosing the aperture 43, which prevents liquid from bypassing the filtermedia 32. After a period of operation, it will be desirable to servicethe filter assembly 6 by replacing the filter element 30. A method ofservicing the filter assembly 6 includes removing the service cover 12and the used filter element 30 from the filter base 10. In theembodiment shown, the step of removing the service cover 12 alsoincludes, simultaneously, removing the filter element 30 due to theengagement between the latch arrangement 50 and the ring 58 in theservice cover 12. In the embodiment shown, this step will also includeunmating the cover 12 and base 10 through the mating threads shown at101, 102.

A new filter element 30 having a new valve head 70 is provided and isoperably mounted in the filter base 10, including engaging the valvehead 70 against the spring member 22 in the filter base 10.Specifically, in the embodiment shown, the seating surface 84 of thevalve head 70 is oriented against the spring plunger 24. The servicecover 12 is operably mounted over the new filter element 30 and thefilter base 10. Thus, replacing the filter element 30 also replaces thevalve head 70. This has advantages over arrangements that have the valvehead in the other (non-replaceable) parts of the assembly. In such priorart arrangements, the valve piece is not replaced when the element isreplaced, and that can lead to mechanical failure or other technicaldifficulties due to the valve piece wearing out.

The step of operably mounting the service cover 12 includes engaging thelatch arrangement 50 extending from the first end cap 41 of the filterelement 30 with an internal ring 58 in the service cover 12. The step ofengaging the service cover with the filter element 30 can occur beforepositioning the filter element 30 in the base 10, or it can occur afterpositioning filter element 30 in the base 10. The service cover 12 andthe base 10 are matably connected through the threads 101, 102.

I claim:
 1. A filter element comprising a tubular extension of pleatedfilter media having first and second opposite ends; the tubularextension of pleated filter media defining an open filter interior; afirst end cap secured to the first end of the filter media; the firstend cap having a first end cap aperture; a second end cap secured to thesecond end of the filter media; the second end cap having a second endcap aperture in communication with the open filter interior; a latcharrangement projecting from the first end cap; the filter element beingcharacterized by: (a) a tubular neck extending from the first end capand circumscribing the first end cap aperture; the tubular neck beingcircumscribed by the latch arrangement; and (b) a valve head orientedwithin the first end cap aperture and constructed and arranged to movebetween a position sealing the first end cap aperture and exposing thefirst end cap aperture; (i) the valve head including an arm arrangementslidably held with the tubular neck; (A) the arm arrangement including aplurality of arms, wherein the latch arrangement and tubular neck are asame molded piece as the first end cap.
 2. A filter element according toclaim 1 wherein: (a) the valve head includes a sealing surface sized tooperably form a seal with the first end cap aperture; and (b) the valvehead includes a seating surface at an end opposite of the sealingsurface; the seating surface being sized to mount on a spring-member ina base, when the filter element is operably mounted in the base.
 3. Afilter element according to claim 2 wherein: (a) the valve head includesa plateau region circumscribed by the sealing surface; and (b) theplurality of arms extend from the plateau region.
 4. A filter elementaccording to claim 1 wherein: (a) the tubular neck includes acylindrical wall and an axial end wall forming a rim; the rim definingthe first end cap aperture.
 5. A filter element according to claim 4wherein: (a) each of the arms has a hook, and each hooked free end ofeach of the arms is engageable with the rim when the valve head is in aposition exposing the first end cap aperture.
 6. A filter elementaccording to claim 1 wherein: (a) the latch arrangement includes atleast two latches.
 7. A filter element according to claim 6 wherein: (a)the tubular neck is shorter than the latch arrangement.
 8. A filterelement according to claim 1 wherein: (a) the filter element is at least99% non-metallic.
 9. A filter assembly comprising: (a) a filter base;(b) a service cover operably and removably mounted over the filter base;and (c) a filter element operably mounted on the filter base; the filterelement being at least 99% non-metallic and including, (i) a tubularextension of pleated filter media having first and second opposite ends;the tubular extension of pleated filter media defining an open filterinterior; a first end cap secured to the first end of the filter media;the first end cap having a first end cap aperture; a second end capsecured to the second end of the filter media; the second end cap havinga second end cap aperture in communication with the open filterinterior; a latch arrangement projecting from the first end cap; (ii) atubular neck extending from the first end cap and circumscribing thefirst end cap aperture; the tubular neck being circumscribed by thelatch arrangement; and (iii) a valve head oriented within the first endcap aperture and constructed and arranged to move between a positionsealing the first end cap aperture and exposing the first end capaperture; (A) the valve head including an arm arrangement slidably heldwith the tubular neck; and (B) the arm arrangement including a pluralityof arms, each arm having a hook.
 10. A filter assembly according toclaim 9 wherein: (a) the filter base includes an inner support and aspring member within the inner support; and (b) the filter element isoperably mounted over the inner support with the filter head beingoriented against the spring member.
 11. A filter assembly according toclaim 10 wherein: (a) the service cover includes an inner rim releasablyengaging the latch arrangement on the filter element.
 12. A method ofservicing a filter assembly; the method comprising: (a) removing aservice cover and a used filter element from a filter base; (b)providing a new filter element; the new filter element including a firstend cap having a tubular neck extending therefrom and circumscribing afirst end cap aperture; the new filter element also including a valvehead oriented within the first end cap aperture and constructed andarranged to move between a position sealing the first end cap apertureand exposing the first end cap aperture; the valve head including an armarrangement slidably held with the tubular neck; and the arm arrangementincluding a plurality of arms, each arm having a hook; the tubular neckbeing a same molded piece as the first end cap; (c) operably mountingthe new filter element in the filter base including engaging the valvehead against a spring member in the filter base; and (d) operablymounting the service cover over the new filter element and filter base.13. A method of servicing according to claim 12 wherein: (a) the step ofoperably mounting the service cover includes engaging a latcharrangement extending from the new filter element first end cap with aninternal ring in the service cover.
 14. A method of servicing accordingto claim 13 wherein: (a) the used filter element is releasably attachedto the service cover; and (b) the step of removing a service cover and aused filter element from a filter base includes simultaneously removingthe service cover and the used filter element.
 15. A method of servicingaccording to claim 12 wherein: (a) the step of removing a service coverand a used filter element from a filter base includes removing a usedfilter element that has a first end cap having a tubular neck extendingtherefrom and circumscribing a first end cap aperture and a valve headoriented within the first end cap aperture.